Lighting Design Process for Concert Tours Explained

Introduction to Lighting Design

Lighting design is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of putting on a memorable concert. As a lighting designer for live performances, my goal is to use lighting to complement the music and create an immersive environment for the audience. For this article, I'll walk through my process for designing the lighting for an artist's tour from start to finish. The techniques I share can be applied to lighting design for any kind of show.

Getting to Know the Artist and Their Vision

The first step in designing lighting for a tour is getting to know the particular artist I'm working with. Every musician has a different aesthetic and vision for their shows. I always make sure I'm very familiar with the album and the themes, emotions, and visuals they want to evoke. For example, if the artist's music relies heavily on moody electronics, I'll likely use a lot of backlighting and color-changing LEDs to enhance the atmospheric vibe.

I also have thorough conversations with the artist to understand the specific lighting looks and effects they want to see during particular songs. Many artists have very detailed input on lighting, while others give me total creative freedom. My goal is to strike the right balance between fulfilling the artist's vision and adding my own spin as a designer.

Programming the Lighting Cues

Once I have a clear direction for the lighting, I start programming the actual lighting cues. I use a digital lighting console like the grandMA2 to control all the stage lights and program lighting changes synchronized to the music. I make sure each song has unique lighting that enhances the listening experience. For example, slow ballads may rely on gentle color washes, while big anthem songs need bright, dynamic effects.

Programming happens during production rehearsals in the weeks leading up to a tour. I sit at the lighting console and work closely with the artist and tour creative team to refine the lighting cues. There is a lot of detail involved to perfect the timing and positioning of lights. Cues are edited and updated right up until opening night to ensure the lighting complements each song flawlessly.

Types of Lighting Effects

There are endless possibilities when it comes to lighting technology and effects for concerts these days. Here are some of the most common effects I use:

• Color washes - Lighting a large area of stage with a saturated color tone
• Backlighting - Positioning lights behind artists to create silhouettes or rimming effects
• Spotlights - Narrow beams that can highlight a single artist or smaller area intensely
• Strobes - Quick flashing lights that sync to beats and tempo
• Lasers - Sweeping laser beams that come in various colors
• LED screens - Programmable video walls used as dynamic set pieces
• Haze/fog - Using haze machines to add atmospheric effects
• Chasing lights - Grouping lights to turn on and off in sequence repeatedly

I incorporate movement and changes in the lighting to add layers of dynamism. The more variety, the better for keeping the show visually interesting from start to finish.

Adapting the Design for Different Venues

Most tours play in a wide variety of venues, from small clubs to arenas. I have to adapt the lighting design for each unique space. The main considerations are:

• Stage size/shape - Changing the positions and angles of lights to fully cover different footprints
• Ceiling height - Adjusting the hanging height and orientation of overhead lights based on venue
• House lighting - Supplementing existing venue lighting with tour lights
• Power availability - Making sure there is adequate power for the lighting in each location

I rework the lighting plot and cues as needed for each stop of the tour during the load-in at each venue. Having an adaptable lighting design is crucial for pulling off a consistent show night after night.

Creating a Cohesive Lighting Rig

The collection of lighting fixtures on stage is known as the lighting rig. My goal is to create a customized rig that brings the design vision to life. Key considerations when selecting lights:

• Brightness - Having adequate lumen output for the venue size
• Beam angles - Choosing the right spread of light for each application
• Color mixing - LEDs that can produce a wide array of saturated and dynamic colors
• Effects - Units with unique effects like strobing or laser projection
• Budget - Renting or buying affordable fixtures that produce the needed effects

For a medium-sized tour, I typically specify around 100-200 individual lights to create a versatile rig. The gear gets loaded onto trucks and toured from city to city.

Operating the Show Live

After the weeks of preparation and programming, finally we reach showtime! My job during actual performances is to operate the lighting console live and run the sequence of lighting cues. I'm ready to adapt and improvise the cues based on the artists' actions and the audience's energy.

Running lights live takes intense concentration. I'm following the show moment to moment, keeping one step ahead to trigger the next appropriate lighting scene. I have to be extremely familiar with the lighting looks to execute hundreds of cues flawlessly. It takes practice to operate a live show with high intensity and precision.

Lighting Design Enhances the Show Experience

Lighting plays a major role in shaping the concert experience for fans. A strategic lighting design highlights the artists' performance, creates visual dynamics, and draws the audience into the music. While technical at times, lighting programming is also extremely creative. I love sculpting with light to help share artists' visions. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the joy lighting brings to crowds each night.

FAQs

What training is required to become a lighting designer for concerts?

Most lighting designers have backgrounds in theatrical lighting design and hold degrees in technical theater or stage design. Hands-on experience programming lighting boards and working on concert tours is also very valuable. Look for apprenticeship opportunities to gain practical skills in programming and operating lighting systems.

What is the difference between a lighting designer and lighting director?

The lighting designer creates the overall lighting concept and aesthetics for the show. The lighting director then executes the design during live performances by operating the lighting board and cues. The roles overlap, but the designer does more of the creative planning while the director runs the lights in real time.

How is lighting synchronized to the music during a show?

Lighting consoles allow lighting cues to be precisely timed to the music. The beats per minute (BPM) of songs are programmed in so that chase sequences or strobe effects match the tempo. Cues can also be set to align with lyric cues, drops, transitions and other musical moments.

What kinds of lights are used most often in concert lighting rigs?

LED moving heads and PAR cans are the most common. Moving heads can pan and tilt, often with advanced effects. PAR cans provide focused beams and wide washes. Intelligent LED fixtures allow control of color, brightness and movement from the lighting board.